AI in schools; Aiding Learning or Outsourcing?

Last term, I asked ChatGPT to solve a math problem—not because I didn’t know how to try, but because I ran out of time. When the answer popped up, I felt relieved. But soon after, I felt something else: guilt. Was I learning—or just outsourcing?

A recent survey of 500 secondary students found that every one of them uses AI for homework, and some admitted using it to avoid hard work. One Secondary 2 student said she skips maths entirely because she doesn’t want to “waste time” on it. I didn’t think it applied to me—until I saw how easy it was to lean on AI instead of learning.

Singapore is rolling out AI governance and safety measures—from testing generative AI in the Global AI Assurance Pilot to addressing bias across languages in the AI Safety Red Teaming Challenge But in schools, we’re still figuring out the human impact: are we improving learning or telling ourselves we are?

Our school introduced a “Smart Learning” model where students can use AI tools—but guidance is inconsistent. One teacher encouraged creativity with AI, another warned it’s cheating. Meanwhile, the MOE’s AI‑in‑Education Ethics Primer exists, but as an expert said, “there isn’t any very clear guidance across the board”

So where do we go from here?

As youth, we need to be intentional about how we use AI. Sure, it’s tempting to let the tool do our thinking. But if we use it mindlessly, we risk losing our own ability to think. We need to know how to ask ourselves “What am I learning—even when AI is helping?”, and talk openly about it.

Parents can show interest without judgment. Ask us how we’re using AI. Encourage reflection: ask us to explain answers a chatbot gave. Help turn AI into a learning tool, aiding us to find our own answers.

Schools must set clearer boundaries—and better ones. We don’t need blanket bans, but we do need structured policies: teach us prompt ethics, require AI usage logs, grade original thinking differently.

Government and policymakers should build on the national AI safety frameworks. Singapore’s assurance pilots and Red Teaming Challenge are impressive —but they’re technical. We also need clear national guidelines on AI in classrooms and workplaces.

For society at large, this moment is an opportunity: AI isn’t just for coders or policymakers—it affects all of us, and we need to take responsibility for how we use it. 

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-is-it-still-considered-learning-if-i-use-chatgpt